Thinking Ahead

But what do we do in the meantime? We need to have our house in order, and that includes a lot of things we’re already doing, or at least working toward. We need—dare I suggest?—a blue-ribbon, multi-partisan commission to develop a list of priorities for this country, which would be valid even if we were to remain the greatest superpower forever, but would be equally important to have in place as we begin to slip.

The list will be long and contentious, but we simply can’t keep going along the way we have. We can’t endlessly postpone or severely compromise programs, or dump horrendous debt on our grandchildren, because we don’t have the guts or the fortitude to make any sacrifices ourselves.

If I were on that commission, one of my priorities would be decent health care for every citizen. That may not be an entitlement listed in the Bill of Rights, but in today’s world, to suggest that some citizens don’t deserve adequate care is foolish and mean and arrogant.

I’d also want to explore the possibility of developing high-speed train service between key cities. Air travel today is an unpleasant experience, and I’ve yet to hear anyone say there are big improvements in store. On the contrary, it keeps getting worse and more expensive and more demeaning.

Another of my personal priorities would be to shorten the presidential and congressional election periods to 90 or 120 days. It works in other countries; why not here?

America can and will stay a great nation for a long, long time. But wouldn’t it be smart to start thinking just a little further ahead? And who better than Minnesotans to lead the way?